Poetry Motivation - April 2005
Do You "No"?
Ok, before you all think I don't realize how to spell "know," I better explain that is exactly the word that was supposed to be in the title. Do you know how to say no is what this month's column is all about.
There are some times when you must say no, even though you feel so elated that some publisher will accept your writing for his publication. When that might be, or if it is acceptable is entirely up to you.
You have completed a masterpiece, and a publication has accepted it. They send you a contract to sign and you notice they want exclusive rights to your poem.
Do you automatically sign it and return it on the spot, or do you stop and think, wait a minute, that means I can never publish it anywhere else without the risk of being in legal trouble. Is that something that you want to commit to, or would you rather say, "No"?
If you still want it published, ask them if they will do so if granted first rights only, or one-time rights. If they still insist on exclusive rights, then you alone must make the decision.
In most cases, I try to write specific material for the magazines who want exclusive rights for publishing, so I have no heartburn granting them such rights since I would be sending it elsewhere anyway. On the other hand, if I am surprised by any editor/publisher requesting exclusive rights who hasn't in the past, I do not hesitate to try to get them to change their mind.
So, sometimes just to retain your feeling that your writing is still in demand by some publications, you may freely grant exclusive rights, but there are times when you should say "NO."